On Tuesday, MetaMask, the most popular cryptocurrency wallet, announced official support for the Solana network, ending its years-long limitation to Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) chains.
The integration will allow users to store Solana (SOL) and Solana-based tokens directly in their MetaMask browser extension, marking the wallet’s first venture into the non-EVM chain. Although mobile support is still a few weeks away, the update demonstrates the company’s commitment to becoming a go-to wallet for users across multiple blockchains.
MetaMask leads the charge into a multi-chain future
Also, the integration is part of the firm’s strategy to streamline the user experience by eliminating the need for multiple wallets. Previously, users holding assets on both Ethereum and Solana had to juggle separate wallets. With the expansion, they can manage supported assets across both networks within MetaMask’s unified interface.
“Solana is just the start. We’ll be adding more non-EVM networks over the coming months, to make wallet juggling a thing of the past. One wallet, one interface, every network,” MetaMask stated.
The announcement was met with enthusiasm from the Solana community, which welcomed MetaMask’s massive user base to the ecosystem. Solana’s official social media account celebrated the integration, posting, “The fox has arrived. Millions more users, now just one click away from Solana. Welcome, MetaMask!”
The news had an immediate impact on Solana’s market performance, with SOL briefly surging 6 percent before settling at a 2 percent gain, closing at $178.6. Apart from boosts, it also introduces MetaMask’s security features, such as real-time alerts, malicious App detection, and transaction simulations, to Solana users.
MetaMask emphasised its strong security track record, noting that its browser extension and mobile app have never suffered a protocol-level hack.
Limitations and alternatives for Solana users
Despite the achievement, it’s worth noting that the Solana Snap for MetaMask, a feature that enables integration with other blockchains, currently has limitations.
Currently, it primarily enables interaction with the Solflare website and does not yet provide full functionality for interacting with decentralized applications built directly on the Solana blockchain.
For users seeking comprehensive functionality, dedicated Solana-native wallets, such as Phantom, remain the go-to choice. Phantom already supports multiple networks, including Ethereum, Bitcoin, Base, and Polygon, and offers features like a built-in decentralized exchange and SOL staking.
Other popular alternatives include Coinbase Wallet, which supports Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana, and hardware wallets like Ledger, which enhance security by generating private keys offline and can be connected to software wallets like MetaMask and Phantom for DeFi interactions.
However, the integration signifies a pivotal moment for the crypto industry, moving towards a more unified and user-friendly experience. The company’s commitment to adding more non-EVM networks in the coming months suggests a future where users can manage all their digital assets from a single, versatile platform.
In the long run, the expansion is poised to make the crypto ecosystem more accessible, dynamic, and less complex for both existing users and new entrants alike.